The students support the football players and their decision to take a penalty rather than stop or change the dance after opponents complained that the performance amounted to bad sportsmanship. "We are defending our land," said Tongan player Leni Feaomoeata, 15. "Jefferson has the reputation for losing, being dismissed. We wanted to defend our school, to show we have heart."

The surprise here is that anyone still considers the Haka exotic; BYU does it, for Christ's sake. Apparently the only people who still find it intimidating are this school district and Kige Ramsey.